re using basically new u bolts

I bought 3rd gen leaf springs for my tacoma and a set of u bolts that were taken off a tacoma after 1,000 miles. Are they safe/ok to use for my new leaf springs?

 

I've done it before numerous times and you should be fine but i'm pretty sure they are supposed to be replaced... do with that as you please

just make sure to retorque your ubolts after like 500-1000kms

 

You should not reuse u-bolts.

Have people reused them? Yes, all the time.

Again, you should not reuse them.

The choices is yours. Pick one and bolt them on.

 

Noob question, but why?

I did an AAL and just reused my existing ones… was this not a smart move?

edit: actually I think my AAL came with new bolts. Never mind my previous comment above.

 

You may not have a choice but to buy new ubolts if the new springs have an extra leaf.

 

Because how they are made and how bolts work. Most u-bolts don’t have cut threads. They are cold rolled. This helps “bite” into the nuts. (Short explanation).

Plus, all bolts stretch when tightened.

You can’t go by book torque spec if reusing them. You have to go by “feel”.
And still, your threads have already been rolled and stretched once. Now you’re rolling and stretching them more.

I’m making it sound “bad”. But answering your question.

Again, do what you want. I’ve not seen any fail in person that I know where reused. But it HAS happened.

 

Good to know, thanks! I edited my post… now that I think about it my AAL came with new bolts so I didn’t reuse my stock ones but for future reference this was a good explanation.

 

I’ve re used many times, my current truck has re used ubolts.


It’s only a concern with corrosion and age. If the nuts come off with hand tools it’s probably fine.

 

Put new ones on one side and re-used ones on the other. Monitor and report back ​

 

U-bolts are huge compared to other fasteners on the vehicle. Other bolts stretch too and we reuse those ones all the time

If they were that brittle they'd be breaking on trucks everywhere

 

The Toyota factory service manual highlights non-reusable parts. The U-bolts have not been identified as non-reusable:

 

You're not *supposed* to, but you'll be fine. Just check up and retorque them after a few hundos. They're not going to snap on you or anything. The issue is stretching and torture.

 

This.

Think about what these bolts are being asked to do. Sure replacing them if they are rusted, bent, or otherwise shit, is for sure the best option. But should you replace the them just because your "supposed to" after every time your loosen them, that seems like BS.
During the adjustments I've made to my rear suspension over the years I've loosened and torqued those bolts at least 6-8 times. Yes they have changed over those 6-8 adjustments, yeah for sure they stretch just like any other bolt. But they are also a ~1/2" thick grade 5 steel bolt so they are all not going to spontaneously break on you.

So in my opinion you should not blindly replace your U bolts every time you loosen them, but rather evaluate how much strain they may have undergone and and if you are nervous, sure replace them. But don't just replace them simply because you loosened them once and you heard you were "supposed" to replace them.

They are not cheap, and once reason they are not cheap is they are a huge piece of strong steel. You don't need to baby them, but they are also not
invincible.

 

is your life or others worth less than $100?

 

I am going to bite on this one, but no more after this.

I call Bull shit on this. When was the last time you heard of someone loosing their life to a catastrophic failure of their U bolts?

 

Some people are just verify safety conscious. Maybe he also changes his lugs and wheel studs after every tire rotation?

 

Depends if the death panel in your state signed off on it.

(Silly question gets a silly answer.)

 

Good point, I heard tires are supposed to be replaced if they loose contact with the ground, it breaks the pavement-rubber safety seal. They risk catastrophic delamination without constant contact! buyer beware.

 

That seems a little dramatic. I'll bet (ie, totally guessing) more accidents happen from guys removing sway bars

 

or running 20psi because of the chalk test